Rogiros Theophanous is a Lancaster University Graduate (2018), he is an entrepreneur who runs a number of companies, his latest venture is THEO Technologies Ltd. THEO Technologies Ltd offers technical support to local businesses and in response to the problems encountered in the sector, they are in the process of developing a unique offer for flexible working - Projected User Interface “PUI”, a Cloud-based platform that utilises cloud-computing to provide on-demand computer usage for flexible working.

Rogiros is well presented, well and clearly versed, and is good at public speaking. He has the ability to answer questions under pressure, the ability to engage his audience with storytelling, for delivering an impactful message, He is coachable, punctual, disciplined, persistent. Rogiros has recently received £5,000 from the Young Innovators Award from Innovate UK and has also been successful in pitching for the £1000 Santander Universities Award last year.

We asked Rogiros why he was the best person to represent Lancaster University in the Santander University Entrepreneurship Awards - this is what he told us:

“The entrepreneurship spirit from my family background, a 2-year military career, a 3-year university degree in Physics, as well as 3 years in the UOTC have provided me with a selection of skills including integrity, discipline, persistence, problem-solving, and attention to plan execution and detail. These skills combined with knowledge acquired from projects with the Work in Progress team were a solid foundation for the following 3 years of new business development in the logistics and IT industries. During my position as a new business developer, I had the opportunity to scout for opportunities in the market, analyse different business scenarios and formulate strategies that balanced risks, stability, and growth. I have also been involved in designing and launching 3 start-ups in the technology, hospitality, and fitness industries, all of which are still currently in business and are increasing their market share every year. My decision to follow an entrepreneurship path and to run my own business is not one made lightly. I understand that it is a long road with constant problem-solving and hurdles. Regardless, I am passionate about ICT and I am committed to lead the business to improve and promote sustainable and innovative ways for people to interact with technology.”

We also asked Rogiros what his competitive advantage is:

“Having past experience with competitive pitching, gained from activities with the Work in Progress Team, Santander University competitions, and Innovate UK, supplies me with confidence to deliver a short, clear, and impactful pitch to the board of judges. PUI was inspired and developed for real-life business customers, addressing their daily needs, and was then refined and strengthened by market research and defined by a fresh sense of novelty. By combining the pitching confidence with a strong value proposition and business strategy developed with Innovate UK consultants, we can gain a competitive edge over other competitors.”

We were so overwhelmed by the applications this year, and the standards of entries far exceeded our expectations. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply and wish you the best for the future.